IT'S the news every Silkmen fan has been waiting to hear - Matthew Tipton has finally put pen to paper and signed a deal to stay at Macclesfield Town for another year.

As reported in Express Sport a fortnight ago, Tipton had attracted attention from a number of clubs, but finally secured his future at Moss Rose after lengthy talks with manager Brian Horton on Tuesday afternoon.

He signed a one year deal to stay at the club which is thought to be worth around £2,000 per week.

Delighted Horton said he aims to forge a partnership between Tipton and Jon Parkin, which he believes can get Macclesfield into the second division.

He told Express Sport: "It was important that we got a player like Matt to sign. We talked about who we wanted to sign and he liked what we had to say, so we are naturally delighted."

"Matt always looks like getting you a goal, and even when he doesn't score he causes problems, like at Scunthorpe last season when he hit the post."

"I think he can make a good partnership up front with Parkin and score a few goals."

Tipton was te club's top scorer with 19 goals last season, breaking Richie Barker's league scoring record in the process.

Manager Horton also announced plans to restructure the coaching system at the club and bring in a new reserve team boss. John Askey will remain as first team assistant, with Steve Carroll looking after the youth team.

He ruled out a move for former Port Vale keeper Paul Musslewhite, who recently left a similar position at Vale Park, but said the appointment could be made within the next couple of weeks.

With Tipton safely on board, Horton will now concentrate on ensuring midfielder Tommy Widdrington signs a new one year deal before searching for the bargains on offer in this summer's transfer market.

He has earmarked a squad of 24 or 25 players for next season, and unveiled the signing of teenagers Neil Morgan from Nottingham Forest and Michael Briscoe from Coventry City.

Briscoe, an 18-year-old defender, was plucked from non-league Harpole Town by Coventry City last season and played seven games for the reserves. He also figured for Macc's second string last term, showing enough quality to earn himself a one year deal at Moss Rose.

Morgan is a midfielder who figured for Forest's reserves and, said Horton, was not just signed to make up the numbers. He said: "I have told the kids not just to turn up and expect to be treated as kids. Eighteen is not too young to be playing first team football nowadays."